Extra €15m in Islands farm cash is ‘a fake’ – Ó Cuív

A ‘COMMITMENT’ by the new Government to provide an extra €15 million for Island farmers is simply a ‘rehash’ of a previous investment, according to Fianna Fáil Spokesman on Rural Development, Éamon Ó Cuív.

He said that on page 114 in the Programme for Government  – as set out by the Fine Gael and Independents Coalition – there was a commitment to spend an ‘extra €15 million’ on funding for Island farmers.

However, Deputy Ó Cuív, said that it had now emerged that no new money at all would be spent ont the Island farmers – it was just a continuation of previous supports that were already in place.

“It’s now emerged that this €15m, which was depicted as new money in the Programme for Government, is in fact a continuation of the previous support being delivered under the Rural Development Plan. The simple truth of the matter is that no new money is being provided,” said Deputy Ó Cuív.

He accused the Government of making hollow promises to Island farmers about so-called extra monehy being provided when in fact this funding had already been provided for.

Deputy Ó Cuív described the move as a ‘deliberate attempt’ by the Government to give the impression that they had an interest in rural Ireland when in fact they were failing to invest in essential services and schemes.

“Island communities are in need of investment and the promised €15m would go a long way in assisting island farmers, by helping them preserve traditional farming methods and prevent land abandonment.

“It is extremely frustrating to learn that yet another commitment is being broken, island farmers are being forgotten and there are no plans to roll out the money that was promised in the Programme for Government,” said Deputy Ó Cuív.